• 01 April 2011

Recently mentioned over at Black Eiffel were these amazing gardens, (just 5 minutes from La Maisonnette du Coteau) Rachel and I visited almost 2 years ago. She hinted at a storm in the post...that night we were walking around the gardens, taking in the candle-lit paths and jazz music wafting they set up on every Thursday during the month of July (see pics here). Towards the end of our jaunt, the wind started to kick up and the sky started to churn. The handful of peacocks that typically hang out on top of the little chateau began making a lot of noise--we realized later they understood what was coming far sooner than we did! Heavy rain and hail suddenly burst from the sky and Rachel and I ran for the car seeking cover. En route a tree fell down between us, narrowly missing us both. The next morning the sky was full of sunshine and the only reminder of the previous night's events were the pummeled sunflower fields. My how things can change in an instant!

This Spring our family is very much looking forward to a calmer kind of experience at these beautiful gardens {yet eventful in its own way}, when our kids participate in the famed Easter Egg Hunt, called "La Grande Chasse aux Oeufs de Pâques" in French. When living over there during the renovation, some of the villagers told us about the hunt and we've often talked about how great it would be to get over there during the Springtime. Well, it turns out the only few weeks remaining at La Maisonnette this year, through mid-October, fell during the Easter Holiday; we are so grateful!

Amanda, I have no idea but I would advise you to do some research and call around. Many restaurants are closed on Sunday and it can be frustrating to not be able to find a place to eat. Maybe subscribe to zagat because I think they have an "open Sunday" option in their search. Make a list of ten restaurants and then call them specifically about Easter Sunday. Bonne chance!

Happy that you are able to go this year. My friend Heather and I often reminisce about our time there last September with a heavy sigh. Have a great time. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your travels.